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Infiniti M35

The Infiniti M35 debuted in 2006 and lasted until 2010. The brand brought it back in 2012 as the platform for Infiniti’s entry into the hybrid sedan class. Originally meant to compete with the Lexus GS, BMW 5 Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars, this is the midsize sports sedan of choice for Infiniti fans. It sells for less than the pedigree competition in keeping with the maker’s goal of providing a lot of bang for the buck. It is the most expensive of the Infiniti sedans with a suggested price notably higher than the I or G series.

Infiniti has a tendency to use model numbers to denote engine differences. The M series at one point included the M35 with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine and the M45 with a 4.5-liter V-8 engine. Beyond this basic difference, both cars have most traits in common. The M35 succeeds the M45. The M45 debuted in 2003 and was joined by the M35 after a major redesign in 2006. In 2011, the M35 was succeeded by the M37, much in the same way that another Infiniti luxury performance midsize car, the G35, changed to the G37.

The M35 faces a lot of competition, some of which have more luxury and others more performance, but few match the M35 when it comes to marrying the two concepts. As it lives on in hybrid form, and as a slightly redesigned version with numerical change, it can still be considered a successful entry in the auto market, even though it no longer goes by the same name.

Infiniti M35 Features

The M35 is known for the most part as a well-designed and comfortable sedan that provides real performance and many features at a price that really beats the competition. Critics make a few minor complaints about the lower quality interior materials that keep the price down, but the M35 does not lack performance. It has the handling and power, just not in excess like some other luxury sedans in this class.

In regards to size, the interior offers plenty of space. All of the driving and handling features that a buyer expects from this type of vehicle can be found in the M35. In a short time, the car built a reputation that keeps with the auto world’s view of Infiniti’s luxury performance cars. That reputation is for making a fun vehicle to drive that offers comfort and great value in a competitive vehicle class.

In some ways, the M35 beats its highly touted European competitors at their own game. By including a lot of features in a car with a generous interior and performance that will surprise most drivers, Infiniti makes a great luxury sedan well worth looking at as a well-priced used car. A buyer can have all the comforts and driving experience of a more expensive luxury sedan and save plenty of money.

The M35 provides a great value for buyers who can accept slightly less than perfect. The ride isn’t as refined as the competition; the materials are not top-notch, and the performance and power can’t match the European vehicles in this class, but none of those cars match the M35 in value.

The M35 no longer exists in its original form. The M35h is a hybrid that should not be confused with the gas-powered and higher performing original M35. That car still exists as the M37, a redesigned and upgraded M35.

Infiniti M35 Evolution

During its few years of production, the M35 came in two trims: base and Sport. Originally, Infiniti offered all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option on the base model and standard on the Sport. Later in the production run, the all-wheel drive model became its own trim called the M35x. The base model comes rather well-equipped, but the Sport trim manages to add rear active steering, sport suspension, upgraded wheels, adaptive HID headlights, and climate-controlled sport seats.

The M35 gets the 35 designation because of the 3.5-liter V-6 that produces 280 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. It couples with a five-speed automatic transmission. In later years, alterations allowed this engine to produce 303 hp, but it lost a little bit of torque as a trade-off. All models use the same basic V-6 engine. The upgraded engine pairs with a new seven-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control and downshift rev-matching for the rear-wheel drive models, while the M35x keeps the five-speed.

Standard safety items include anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, and active front-seat head restraints on all models. Later models have an optional lane-departure warning system that signals during unintended lane drifting.